Container for mixing of components

ABSTRACT

A container ( 10 ) for mixing components comprises a main body ( 12 ) defining a main chamber ( 17 ) and a liquid receptacle ( 16 ) and a plunger ( 18 ). The main chamber ( 17 ) has a distal end ( 26 ) which has an end cap ( 28 ). The main chamber ( 17 ) has a central aperture ( 30 ) sealed by a frangible membrane ( 38 ). In use, the plunger ( 18 ) causes liquid in the liquid receptacle ( 16 ) to be pushed through an internal wall ( 22 ) containing a weakened portion ( 24 ) into the main chamber ( 17 ) which contains a powder. 
     The liquid and powder are mixed to form a paste. The paste is accessed by an applicator which breaks the frangible membrane ( 38 ). 
     The container is especially envisaged for use in mixing of components to provide a paste for dental use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container for the mixing ofcomponents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provideda container for mixing of components of a mixture, comprising a mainchamber, a liquid receptacle and a plunger, the main chamber having anend wall which is frangible so as to provide access for an applicatordevice after mixing has been undertaken.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an empty container in accordance with thepresent invention in an initial condition;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 in an activatedcondition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section view of a distal end of the container ofFigures 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a further example of the containercontaining materials to be mixed in an initial condition;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the loaded container of FIG. 4 in anactivated condition ready to be placed into a mixing device; and

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the container in accordance withthe present invention showing a preferred sealing means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown acontainer 10 for the mixing of two components. The container 10comprises a body 12 which is cylindrical in section and has a mainchamber 17. Mounted within a proximal end 14 of the body 12 is a liquidreceptacle 16. A plunger 18 having a front face 19 is mounted within aninterior of the liquid receptacle 16. The liquid receptacle 16 is sealedby the plunger 18 by seal means (not shown) located on the plunger 18 onan external face thereof or on an internal surface 20 of the liquidreceptacle 16. The liquid receptacle 16 has an inner transverse wall 22which contains a centrally disposed weakened portion 24.

A distal end 26 of the body 12 has an end cap 28 mounted thereto.Further, the distal end 26 is provided with an inwardly facingcircumferential flange 27. The end cap 28 is annular and contains acentral aperture 30. As shown in FIG. 3 the end cap 28 has acircumferential flange 32 which extends over the distal end 26. Theflange 32 has an inwardly projecting annular rib 34 which engages withan external annular recess 36 in the body 12 adjacent the distal end 26.A thin frangible membrane 38 is mounted between the distal end 26 andthe flange 27 and the end cap 28. The thin frangible membrane 38 may beretained in place by any convenient means such as adhesive. Further, theend cap 28 has an inwardly projecting annular lip 40 around the aperture30. As can be seen in FIG. 1 the receptacle 16 has a rear laterallyextending annular flange 42 which engages with an annular recess 44 onan internal face of the body 12 adjacent the proximal end 14 thereof.

Typically, the thin frangible membrane 38 is manufactured from a thinfilm or foil that is impermeable to moisture. For example, the thinfrangible membrane 38 could be manufactured from an aluminium foil witha heat sealable adhesive on one side. After application of heat orenergy (for example ultrasonic energy or induction energy or pressure)the adhesive layer bonds to the distal end 26 and cannot be readilyremoved. Other examples of the thin frangible membrane 38 are laminatedaluminium and plastic films, where two or more films are joinedtogether, and subsequently bonded to the distal end 26.

It is important that the underside of this membrane, which is in contactwith the powder 48 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), is compatible with the powder 48and will not participate in any chemical reaction with the powder. Thus,in the example where the membrane is aluminium foil with an adhesivecoating on the underside; it is the adhesive layer that prevents anycontact of the powder with the aluminium layer of the membrane.

Preferably the frangible membrane 38 is from 0.005 to 0.5 mm thick, morepreferably from 0.01 to 0.3 mm thick.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown the condition of the container 10when activated. In this condition the plunger 18 has been depressed intothe liquid receptacle 16.

When fully depressed a front face of the plunger 18 is engaged with thewall 22 of the liquid receptacle 16. Further forward displacement of theplunger 18 causes an increase in hydraulic pressure on the weakenedportion 24. Once the hydraulic pressure reaches a critical point theportion 24 will break. This forces a liquid 46 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) fromwithin the liquid receptacle 16 into the main chamber 17 to allow mixingwith a powder 48 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The engagement of the flange 42with the recess 44 prevents the receptacle 16 from being pushed fullyinto the body 12. A further optional inwardly extending step 49 locatedon the body 12 may also be used to prevent the liquid receptacle 16 frombeing pushed into the body 12 (see to FIGS. 1 and 2).

In use, the powder 48 and the liquid 46 are loaded initially into theappropriate sections of the body 12 and the liquid receptacle 16 asshown in FIG. 4. The user then takes the container 10 and appliespressure to the plunger 18. Pressure applied to the plunger 18 buildshydraulic pressure against the portion 24 of the wall 22 throughdisplacement of the liquid 46. Once the hydraulic pressure reaches acritical point the portion 24 will break. The user continues to applypressure to the plunger 18 causing it to displace until the front faceof the plunger engages with the wall 22 of the liquid receptacle 16. Theliquid 46 is forced from the liquid receptacle 16 into the main chamber17. The liquid 46 and the powder 48 are thus placed together within themain chamber 17 which forms a mixing compartment.

In FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a preferred meansfor forming a seal between the plunger 18 and the receptacle 16. In thisembodiment the inner wall 20 of the receptacle 16 is provided with apair of spaced inwardly facing annular projections 50. This arrangementensures that a good seal is maintained between the receptacle 16 and theplunger 18 when depressing the plunger 18 and forcing the liquid fromthe receptacle 16 into the chamber 17.

The container 10 is then placed into a mixer of a known type, forexample a vibrating mixer. After sufficient mixing has occurred theliquid 46 and the powder 48 will form a paste.

to The user then takes the container 10 and forces an applicator with anabsorbent end, or a brush, both commonly known, through the frangiblemembrane 38 causing the membrane 38 to puncture. The paste is thencollected on the known applicator device for application by the user. Toensure excess paste is not removed the lip 40 is used to wipe excessmaterial from the applicator without contamination.

The container of the present invention is particularly envisaged for usein mixing of dental materials but it is to be understood that it is ofgeneral applicability.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addresseeare deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

1. A container for mixing of components of a mixture, comprising a mainchamber, a liquid receptacle and a plunger, the main chamber having anend wall which is frangible so as to provide access for an applicatordevice after mixing has been undertaken.
 2. A container according toclaim 1, comprising a body having a proximal end and a distal end anddefining the main chamber, a liquid receptacle mounted within theproximal end of the body, and a plunger sealingly mounted within aninterior of the liquid receptacle, the liquid receptacle having an innertransverse wall which contains a weakened portion.
 3. A containeraccording to claim 2, wherein the distal end of the body has an annularend cap mounted thereto, the end cap has an aperture and a frangiblemembrane is mounted between the distal end of the body and the end cap.4. A container according to claim 2, wherein the distal end of the bodyhas an annular end cap mounted thereto, the end cap has an aperture, afrangible membrane is mounted between the distal end of the body and theend cap has a circumferential flange which extends over the distal endof the body.
 5. A container according to claim 2, wherein the distal endof the body has an annular end cap mounted thereto, the end cap has anaperture, a frangible membrane is mounted between the distal end of thebody, the end cap has a circumferential flange which extends over thedistal end of the body and the flange has an inwardly projecting annularrib which engages with an annular external recess in the body adjacentthe distal end thereof.
 6. A container according to claim 2, wherein thedistal end of the body has an annular end cap mounted thereto, the endcap has an aperture, a frangible membrane is mounted between the distalend of the body and the end cap has an inwardly projecting annular liparound the aperture.
 7. A container according to claim 2, wherein theliquid receptacle has a rear outwardly extending annular flange whichengages with an annular recess or an internal frame of the body adjacentthe proximal end thereof.
 8. A container according to claim 2, whereinthe body has an inwardly extending step which engages with the liquidreceptacle.
 9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the liquidreceptacle contains a liquid and the mixing compartment contains apowder.
 10. A container according to claim 1, wherein the end wall isfrom 0.005 to 0.5 mm thick.
 11. A container according to claim 10,wherein the end wall is from 0.01 to 0.3 mm thick.